Sunday, December 30, 2007

South Africa v India - Third Test


Centurion Park

SAF: BA Richards, *TL Goddard, EAB Rowan, RG Pollock, AD Nourse, JN Rhodes, +JHB Waite, MJ Procter, NBF Mann, AA Donald, NAT Adcock.
IND: *SM Gavaskar, NS Sidhu, PR Umrigar, GR Viswanath, M Azharuddin, +FM Engineer, Kapil Dev, DG Phadkar, M Prabhakar, BS Bedi, BS Chandrasekhar.

Debuts: Nil
Umpires: CJ Mitchley & DL Orchard
Toss: South Africa

After the scathing criticism of the playing surface in Durban, it was hardly surprising to find that a seemingly perfect batting strip had been produced for the series decider here, and once Trevor Goddard won a crucial toss South Africa set about establishing a commanding position in the match.

Goddard himself continued his wretched series with the bat, edging Kapil Dev behind for 2, but Richards was dominant, adding 108 with Rowan (33) and 85 with Pollock before finally being stumped off Chandrasekhar for an imperious 150, made off just 183 balls. The Springboks were 212-3 at this stage, and after Pollock and Nourse (26) put on a further 71 for the fourth wicket, Jonty Rhodes joined Pollock for a partnership that would just about put India out of the game.

Pollock was not at his flowing best but reached his century nonetheless, his thirteenth in ATG Tests, and Rhodes completed his maiden ATG century on the second afternoon as the pair posted a stand of 151 for the fifth wicket; Rhodes' position in the side was under great debate before this match, but it would now seem that he has booked a place on South Africa's upcoming tour of the West Indies.

Pollock eventually fell for 146, but Rhodes was unbeaten on 115 when Goddard declared midway through the second afternoon, South Africa having racked up an imposing 532-8, their third highest total in ATG Tests. Gavaskar and Sidhu's second century opening stand of the series got India's reply off to a good start, but both fell in quick succession as South Africa snared three wickets before lunch on day three, and the tourists' innings stuttered thereafter as the Springboks' bowlers, led by Mike Procter, made regular breakthroughs.

Umrigar's first fifty of the series was a positive knock, and 64 from Kapil Dev - who had been dropped on 5 by Rowan - enlivened proceedings later on, but a total of 307 was not enough to avoid following-on, and with four and a half sessions of the match still remaining, India had it all to do. Attack seemed to be the best form of defence for the tourists though, and after Sidhu fell lbw to Goddard for a streaky 25, Gavaskar and Umrigar plundered 23 from one Neil Adcock over, an ATG record, Umrigar striking four consecutive boundaries from the final four deliveries.

As in the first innings though, three quick wickets halted India's progress, and with Viswanath and Azharuddin both departing for ducks, 97-1 became 114-4 and South Africa were back on top. India still trailed by 111 at this stage, but Engineer now became a resolute partner for Umrigar, helping take India to the close without further loss, and with rain washing out all but five overs of the fifth morning, the tourists now had a more than even chance of saving the match.

That they were in such a position was almost solely down to Polly Umrigar, who was playing one of the great innings. He reached his century with his seventeenth boundary, and when he was finally out for 130 (162 balls, 20x4), he was afforded a standing ovation as he made his way back to the pavilion. 110 had been added with Engineer, but at 224-5 India still trailed by 1 run and there was much more work to be done. More rain took a further half hour out of the equation, but with both Engineer (28) and Phadkar (1) departing before tea, India entered the final session on 254-7, leading by just 29 and about to face the new ball.


Procter and Donald steamed in, and for the second time in the series a sickening blow on the head courtesy of Allan Donald sent an Indian to hospital, Manoj Prabhakar the unfortunate victim on this occasion. Kapil Dev's response was to fight fire with fire though, and his second fifty of the match, coupled with Bedi's highest ever ATG innings (28), took India to safety as South Africa's tiring attack was unable to deliver the final blow.

India had thus secured a highly creditable draw in both the match and the series, a result that denied South Africa the chance to take over the outright number one position in the world rankings. That opportunity now goes to England, whose upcoming tour of New Zealand could see them finally oust Australia from the top spot ahead of next season's Ashes series.

Scores
SAF 1st Inns 532-8 dec. (Richards 150, Pollock 146, Rhodes 115*)
IND 1st Inns 307 (Kapil Dev 64, Sidhu 63, Umrigar 59, Gavaskar 46, Azharuddin 43; Procter 5-88)
IND 2nd Inns 347-8 (Umrigar 130, Kapil Dev 75*, Gavaskar 40; Goddard 4-54)

MATCH DRAWN


Man of the Match: PR Umrigar

Saturday, December 15, 2007

South Africa v India - Second Test


Kingsmead, Durban

SAF: BA Richards, *TL Goddard, EAB Rowan, RG Pollock, AD Nourse, JN Rhodes, +JHB Waite, MJ Procter, PM Pollock, AEE Vogler, NBF Mann.
IND: *SM Gavaskar, NS Sidhu, PR Umrigar, GR Viswanath, M Azharuddin, CG Borde, +FM Engineer, Kapil Dev, M Prabhakar, BS Bedi, BS Chandrasekhar.

Debuts: Nil
Umpires: CJ Mitchley & DL Orchard
Toss: India

A win in Durban for South Africa would both clinch the series and secure the number one spot in the world rankings, but the quality (or lack of) of the Kingsmead wicket was of great debate in the lead up to the match and would surely prove something of a leveller over the course of the Test.

India had been forced to add Srinath (hand) and Venkat (knee) to their injury list since Port Elizabeth, but Gavaskar won a hugely important toss and gave the tourists a critical advantage before a ball had even been bowled. He and Sidhu added a sprightly 88 for the first wicket, with Sidhu spanking the recalled Vogler's first three balls to the boundary, and although there were failures once again for both Umrigar (4) and Azharuddin (a first ball duck), Gavaskar's 83 and a compliant lower order took India to 275-7 at the end of day one, a score that was extended to 335 all out by the second afternoon.

Engineer, Kapil Dev and Prabhakar all made significant contributions down the order, and on a wicket that was already starting to go through the top, India now found themselves in a very strong position. Richards and Goddard both fell early as South Africa replied, and from a score of 10-2 the innings never recovered. Graeme Pollock's 40 was the top score as Bedi and Chandrasekhar revelled in conditions more akin to Delhi than Durban, and before the second day was out, South Africa had been skittled for 135, with India's spinners sharing eight of the wickets.


With a lead of exactly 200 Gavaskar could have enforced the follow-on, but he elected to bat again, only to become the day's 14th victim when Procter castled him with what proved to be the final ball of the day. More mayhem followed on day three as Tufty Mann picked up his first ATG five wicket haul on the way to routing the Indians for 126 in an innings that lasted just 52 overs. Had Goddard trusted Vogler to bowl then maybe the carnage would have been greater still, but after returning figures of 1-85 off 15 overs on the first day, Vogler was not thrown the ball again in the match.

As it was, South Africa now needed the little matter of 327 to win on a wicket that was making batting a lottery, and India stood on the brink of a wholly unexpected victory. Richards and Goddard both failed again, victims of the highly effective Manoj Prabhakar, and Rowan soon followed, but Pollock and Nourse were able to get going and for a while there was hope for the Springboks. However, 99-3 became 105-6 as Chandrasekhar picked up three wickets in the blink of an eye, including Pollock's for an admirable 56, and it now seemed to be just a matter of time. Procter hit out for a defiant 45, adding 73 for the seventh wicket with the obdurate Nourse, but when both eventually fell to Bedi in the space of nine balls the game was up.


South Africa were finally all out for 184 midway through the fourth afternoon, and India had completed a shock victory by the sizeable margin of 142 runs. The game had been won on the first day, with India's first innings of 335 proving decisive, and Sunil Gavaskar picked up his second man of the match award of the series for his match-high innings of 83. The Kingsmead pitch had proved the real decisive factor in this match though, and the South African camp were understandably livid at the surface which had been prepared here. The teams now travel to Centurion all-square, and an unexpectedly competitive finish to the series is now on the cards.

Scores
IND 1st Inns 335 (Gavaskar 83, Kapil Dev 55, Prabhakar 43*, Sidhu 40, Engineer 40; Goddard 4-48)
SAF 1st Inns 135 (RG Pollock 40; Bedi 4-48, Chandrasekhar 4-48)
IND 2nd Inns 126 (Mann 5-56)
SAF 2nd Inns 184 (RG Pollock 56, Nourse 49, Procter 45; Bedi 4-57)

INDIA WON BY 142 RUNS


Man of the Match: SM Gavaskar

Monday, December 10, 2007

South Africa v India - First Test


St George's Park, Port Elizabeth

SAF: BA Richards, *TL Goddard, EAB Rowan, RG Pollock, AD Nourse, JN Rhodes, +JHB Waite, MJ Procter, PM Pollock, NBF Mann, AA Donald.
IND: *SM Gavaskar, NS Sidhu, PR Umrigar, VS Hazare, M Azharuddin, +FM Engineer, Kapil Dev, M Prabhakar, J Srinath, S Venkataraghavan, BS Bedi.

Debuts: EAB Rowan (SAF)
Umpires: CJ Mitchley & DL Orchard
Toss: India

Given the Indians' showing with the bat in the warm-up game in Bloemfontein, the first Test was expected to be a hard fought affair, but from the moment they folded for 223 in their first innings here the tourists were always fighting a losing battle in Port Elizabeth.

India picked only five specialist batsmen in what was seen by most as an attacking move, and when Gavaskar and Sidhu batted through the entire opening session for a partnership of 114, that move seemed to be entirely vindicated. However, the South Africans regrouped during lunch, and in overcast conditions they simply blew away the rest of the innings once Sidhu fell for 46 in the first over of the afternoon. Vijay Hazare was struck a sickening blow to the side of the head by Allan Donald having scored just 1, and his retirement seemed to undermine the confidence of the rest of the team; aside from the opening partnership, the next highest stand was a paltry 27.

Gavaskar went on to record a worthy century, but on what was a relatively flat wicket the remainder of India's batting was not up to the challenge laid down by the hosts. Mann, in for the injured Tayfield, bowled an economical spell towards the end of the innings, and South Africa were batting within the first hour of the second morning. India's 223 looked well below par, but the Springboks slumped to 48-3 before a methodical century stand between Pollock and Nourse got the innings back on track. Pollock eventually edged Prabhakar into the slips for 46, and when Nourse departed shortly after for 67, South Africa were 171-5 and in danger of conceding their advantage. The tail wagged though, and led by Peter Pollock's 35 the lead was taken on a rain affected third morning. Manoj Prabhakar's second beamer of the innings, both at Peter Pollock, spiced up proceedings in the afternoon, and the St George's Park crowd was very quick to make its feelings known, although fortunately for Prabhakar the innings did not last long after Pollock's dismissal.


South Africa were all out for 268, a disappointing total after dismissing India so cheaply, but their lead of 45 was to prove more than handy as the tourists batted with even greater ineptitude than on the opening day. Only Gavaskar (48), Azharuddin (44) and Srinath (11) made it into double figures, and with four players recording ducks India were bundled out for a pitiful 123 shortly before lunch on the fourth morning. Goddard picked up four wickets as a succession of rash drives kept John Waite and the slips busy, and Mike Procter returned figures of 3-35 off 23 unforgivingly probing overs; the fact that a knee strain kept Donald from bowling at least gave India some respite.

Tight bowling from Bedi and Venkat made South Africa wait until after tea to hit the winning runs, but their eight wicket victory when it came was thoroughly deserved. India had been outplayed, and their performance with the bat was a great disappointment, with only Gavaskar providing any meaningful resistance. If South Africa can hold on to their lead then they will become the official number one ATG team at the end of the series, and given India's showing here one would not bet against the crowning of new kings in two Tests' time.

Scores
IND 1st Inns 223 (Gavaskar 102, Sidhu 46)
SAF 1st Inns 268 (Nourse 67, RG Pollock 46)
IND 2nd Inns 123 (Gavaskar 48, Azharuddin 44; Goddard 4-37)
SAF 2nd Inns 79-2

SOUTH AFRICA WON BY 8 WICKETS


Man of the Match: SM Gavaskar

Thursday, December 6, 2007

South Africa v India - Tour Match

South African Invitation XI v Indians
Springbok Park, Bloemfontein
4 Day Game
Umpires: RGA Ashman & HC Kidson

Invitation XI: SJ Cook, HJ Fotheringham, PN Kirsten, KS McEwan, KA McKenzie, *CEB Rice, BM McMillan, +RV Jennings, GS Le Roux, AJ Kourie, VAP Van Der Bijl.
Indians:
SM Gavaskar, NS Sidhu, PR Umrigar, GR Viswanath, M Azharuddin, CG Borde, Kapil Dev, +FM Engineer, M Prabhakar, J Srinath, BS Bedi.

A Springbok Park featherbed spoiled this warm-up game as a competitive fixture, although it did allow India's batsmen to rack up some valuable time at the crease ahead of the first Test. The tourists piled up a massive 556-6 before declaring at lunch on the second day, and with the Invitation XI's reply of 497 taking until the fourth afternoon to complete, the match petered out into a tame draw.


Sunil Gavaskar was the only Indian batsman not to cash in on the benign conditions, falling to Le Roux in both innings for 4 and 1, but his opening partner, Navjot Sidhu, was the big success story for India, pummelling 183 off just 194 deliveries on an opening day that saw the tourists race to a formidable 396-4. Azharuddin completed a princely century on day two, Viswanath contributed a fluent 86, and Borde made 60, although he looked nowhere near as fluent as most of his colleagues.

None of the South African bowlers looked in good form, with Le Roux, Rice and Kourie all conceding runs at a rate of five an over, but led by hundreds from Jimmy Cook and Ken McEwan, their batsmen were soon dishing out reciprocal punishment, albeit at a slower rate. India's bowlers could only claim one wicket on a third day that ended with the Invitation XI on 378-3, but Peter Kirsten's near strokeless, five hour 72 had held the hosts back somewhat, and wickets tumbled on the fourth morning as the South Africans tried to press the accelerator.


Kapil Dev was the most impressive Indian bowler, claiming 3-73 in 35 very disciplined overs, but Srinath disappointed, and Bedi was made to send down 54 largely fruitless overs, a display that hopefully won't have sapped his strength too much ahead of the Tests. What is sure though is that most of India's top order are in good nick going into the first Test in Port Elizabeth, and South Africa are going to have to work hard if they want to take the top spot in the ATG world.

Scores
Indians 1st Inns 556-6 dec. (Sidhu 183, Azharuddin 111*, Viswanath 86, Borde 60)
Invitation XI 1st Inns 497 (McEwan 153, Cook 104, Kirsten 72, Fotheringham 58)
Indians 2nd Inns
71-4

MATCH DRAWN

South Africa v India - Series Preview

Both sides enter this three Test tour having won their previous series, but South Africa must be the firm favourites here, knowing that a victorious campaign will put them on top of the ATG rankings for the very first time. The Springboks' pace battery simply overpowered Australia last time out, and bearing in mind India's reliance on spin, we are likely to see more of the same here. In contrast, India's seamers struggled to make an impact in the recent series against New Zealand, and one feels that they will be relying on their batsmen to rack up some big totals in order to be competitive here.

The tour gets under way with a four day match in Bloemfontein against a South African Invitation XI; the home side will be made up of players from South Africa's 'isolation years', and the game should provide the tourists with a stern test ahead of the Test matches.

India's Squad
SM Gavaskar (c), VS Hazare (v/c), M Azharuddin, BS Bedi, CG Borde, BS Chandrasekhar, FM Engineer, Kapil Dev, SMH Kirmani, DG Phadkar, M Prabhakar, NS Sidhu, J Srinath, PR Umrigar, S Venkataraghavan, GR Viswanath.



Friday, November 30, 2007

Australia v West Indies - Series Summary

After an innings defeat in the tour opener against the Chairman's XI was followed by a loss in the first Test in Brisbane, few people outside the Caribbean would have backed West Indies to come away with the laurels in this series, but that is exactly what they did. The tourists' batting - led by the incomparable Viv Richards - dominated the last three Tests, and an individual century tally of 6 to 2 in favour of West Indies over the course of the series underlined their dominance with the bat. Sobers (who enjoyed one of his best all-round series), Greenidge and Lloyd all joined the party at various stages, and Lloyd looks to have cemented a place in the side for the next couple of series at least. Only Gibbs disappointed with the ball as Marshall, Ambrose and Garner all averaged under 30, and had it not been for Stan McCabe's rearguard heroics in Perth then West Indies may have run out 3-1 series winners rather than 2-1 victors.

McCabe's form faded after the opening two Tests, as admittedly did that of most of Australia's representatives, and the hosts missed Allan Border's stabilising influence over the course of the decisive final two Tests. Australia's team selection looked unbalanced in those two games, with Benaud's lack of form in the pivotal number six position severely exposing his side, and many observers felt that he had been rushed back into the side too soon after breaking his finger in the first Test; innings figures of 19-2-107-1 in the final Test seemed to confirm such views. Don Bradman also suffered a huge dip in form, averaging less than 50 in a series for the first time in his ATG career, and with both Morris and Chappell AWOL for much of the series, Australia's batting looked decidedly fragile. Bill O'Reilly, who took a series-high 21 wickets but was battered into submission in both Melbourne and Sydney, and with Ray Lindwall Australia's only really consistent threat, West Indies were able to rack up huge scores in the final two games.

Australia now share top spot in the ATG rankings (with England and South Africa) for the first time after 141 Tests of lone dominance, and next season's Ashes clash in England could well see the true crowning of a new number one in the ATG world.

Australia - Batting
AR Border 266 runs @ 66.50, DG Bradman 324 @ 46.29, SJ McCabe 341 @ 37.89, WM Woodfull 332 @ 36.89, IA Healy 231 @ 33.00

Australia - Bowling
WJ O'Reilly 21 wkts @ 28.10, RR Lindwall 16 @ 29.81, DK Lillee 13 @ 42.08, AK Davidson 14 @ 42.14

West Indies - Batting
IVA Richards 667 runs @ 95.29, GStA Sobers 423 @ 70.50, CH Lloyd 416 @ 69.33, CG Greenidge 336 @ 42.00, PJL Dujon 186 @ 31.00

West Indies - Bowling
MD Marshall 19 wkts @ 23.00, J Garner 16 @ 24.56, CEL Ambrose 19 @ 27.42, GStA Sobers 12 @ 34.25, LR Gibbs 11 @ 43.73

WEST INDIES WON THE SERIES 2-1

Players of the Series



RR Lindwall & IVA Richards

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Australia v West Indies - Fifth Test


Sydney Cricket Ground

AUS:
WM Woodfull, AR Morris, DG Bradman, GS Chappell, SJ McCabe, *R Benaud, +IA Healy, AK Davidson, RR Lindwall, DK Lillee, WJ O'Reilly.
WI: CG Greenidge, DL Haynes, EdeC Weekes, IVA Richards, CH Lloyd, *GStA Sobers, +PJL Dujon, MD Marshall, J Garner, CEL Ambrose, LR Gibbs.

Debuts: Nil
Umpires: CJ Egar & LP Rowan

A hard fought series now reached its climax, and the 'Showdown at the SCG' would determine whether Australia maintained their number one status in the ATG world or whether West Indies could complete a come from behind victory that would rank them with the big guns once again. Garry Sobers won a vital toss and elected to bat on what looked a good wicket, but under heavy early morning cloud it was Australia that got off to a dream start.

With only 6 runs on the board, both Haynes and Weekes were back in the pavilion having respectively hooked and fended catches off Ray Lindwall bouncers, but Greenidge and Richards counter-attacked with characteristic ferocity and by lunch the tourists were 103-2, with Greenidge in particular in punishing form. O'Reilly and Lillee were simply hit out of the attack, and when Richards lofted Benaud's first ball for six to raise his fifty - in all, Benaud's first over went for 16 - the gauntlet had well and truly been thrown.


The West Indies have run into some irresistible form after a disastrous start to the tour, and now it seemed that there was no stopping them. Richards eventually went for 85, bowled off the inside edge to give the struggling Benaud a most fortunate wicket, but he had added an even 200 with Greenidge, and even with rain lopping 14 overs off the day West Indies ended day one on a commanding 321-4. Greenidge had given Lindwall a deserved third wicket, but only after he had posted a brutal 152 from just 200 balls, his first hundred for 17 Tests, and on day two it was more of the same for Australia.

Lloyd and Sobers added 165 for the fifth wicket, and whilst their strokeplay was not quite in the class of Greenidge and Richards the previous day, it was every bit as clinical. O'Reilly bowled with more control and shouted himself hoarse with unsuccessful appeal after unsuccessful appeal, but Australia's attack appeared somewhat toothless, allowing Sobers to stroke a chanceless 93 and Lloyd to swat a career high 154, an innings that must now cement his place in the side for some time to come. Once Lloyd went the innings folded quickly, with Lillee picking up four of the last five wickets to finish with figures that flattered him, but West Indies' total of 547 had put them in complete control of their own destiny, and it was now down to their bowlers to finish off the ailing Aussies.


Thus far the game was following a similar pattern to the fourth Test in Melbourne, and just as they did at the MCG Australia now played the role of the punch drunk boxer who couldn't get off the ropes. Marshall and Garner reduced Australia to a pitiful 141-9 on the third afternoon, and it was only an innings-high partnership of 72 for the tenth wicket between the admirable Healy (72) and O'Reilly (26*) that gave the innings any semblance of credibility. Australia were 213 all out and Sobers enforced the follow-on for the second match in succession, with West Indies a whopping 334 runs to the good.


Australia put up a little more resistance second time round, and at 162-3 with both Morris and Chappell having posted their first fifties of the series, there looked an outside chance that they might be able to save the game. However, Sobers popped up to dismiss both batsmen after a stand of 106, and the slide began once again. Healy stood defiant for the second time in the match, carving an unbeaten 75 to ensure that he top scored in both innings, but when O'Reilly was yorked by Garner fifteen minutes before lunch on the final day it was all over, and West Indies had completed their second successive innings victory to take the series 2-1.

It was Australia's first ever defeat in a home series, and one was left to wonder whether Richie Benaud's reign as skipper might now end up being a very short one indeed. Australia's next engagement is their defence of the Ashes in England, and the Mother Country must now be favourites to capture the Urn for the first time in ATG history. As for West Indies, they rallied superbly after a horror start to the tour, and they thoroughly deserved their series victory. Viv Richards was undoubtedly the stand-out, but their all-round showing simply outclassed Australia in every department, and Garry Sobers now leads a team that looks capable of challenging for the top spot once again after a long time in the wilderness.

Scores
WI 1st Inns 547 (Lloyd 154, Greenidge 152, Sobers 93, Richards 85; Lillee 4-108)
AUS 1st Inns 213 (Healy 72, Bradman 54; Garner 4-35, Marshall 4-53)
AUS 2nd Inns 330 (Healy 75, Morris 69, Chappell 65, McCabe 40; Marshall 4-82)

WEST INDIES WON BY AN INNINGS & 4 RUNS


Man of the Match: CG Greenidge

Friday, November 23, 2007

Australia v West Indies - Fourth Test

Melbourne Cricket Ground

AUS: WM Woodfull, AR Morris, DG Bradman, GS Chappell, SJ McCabe, *R Benaud, +IA Healy, AK Davidson, RR Lindwall, DK Lillee, WJ O'Reilly.
WI: CG Greenidge, DL Haynes, EdeC Weekes, IVA Richards, CH Lloyd, *GStA Sobers, +PJL Dujon, MD Marshall, J Garner, CEL Ambrose, LR Gibbs.

Debuts: Nil
Umpires: CJ Egar & LP Rowan

After rearguard actions of contrasting style from both teams in Perth and Adelaide, the feeling was that something had to give in Melbourne; an Australian victory would give them the series with one match still to play, whilst a win for West Indies would set up a winner-takes-all final Test in Sydney. Australia suffered a blow when the news came that the in-form Allan Border would miss the remainder of the series with a cracked rib, but Richie Benaud made a surprise return to skipper the team here at the MCG, with many pundits believing that he may have been rushed back too soon following his broken finger sustained in the first Test.

Benaud's first decision was to insert West Indies after winning the toss on a damp, cloudy first morning, and for the first hour ball beat bat with great regularity; however, Greenidge and Haynes were able to reach lunch unparted with the score on 71-0, and from this foundation West Indies were able to build, and build big.

Greenidge eventually made a series-high 69, but the real impetus came once again from Viv Richards, who is enjoying a magnificent Australian summer. He blitzed a 44 ball half century before Davidson defeated him with an excellent yorker, but by this time the damage had been done. Benaud had been hit out of the attack, Lillee was proving expensive and West Indies were on their way. Weekes compiled a composed 54 as a rain shortened day one ended with the tourists on 284-5, and day two belonged to one man as Garry Sobers took charge of the Test.

With the help of the tail he was able to take West Indies to a total of 468, finishing undefeated on 140 (the in-fashion score for West Indian batsmen at the moment), an innings that took just 148 balls and contained 19 boundaries. Australia's attack looked woefully unbalanced, containing as it did two leg spinners in O'Reilly and Benaud, and on a wicket that offered neither of them any assistance, their combined figures were a sorry 26-3-134-2.

Australia's troubles were only just beginning though, for by the close on day 2 they had been reduced to 103-5, with that man Sobers claiming 4-15 including Don Bradman for a third ball duck, courtesy of a Clive Lloyd catch in the slips. By lunch on day three Australia were 182 all out, Sobers had claimed career best figures of 6-46 and Woodfull and Morris were preparing to bat again as the follow-on was enforced.

West Indies led by 286 runs, and with eight sessions in the match remaining there was no way that Australia would be able to shut up shop and bat for the draw as they had at Perth. A lead would have to be established and Woodfull began in positive fashion, but with Morris departing for another duck as his horror series continued (92 runs in eight innings, three ducks), West Indies were able to claim an early wicket and the hosts were immediately on the back foot.

Woodfull and Bradman added 65 in even time but that was to be the highpoint of the innings, and once Ambrose was able to burst through the Don's defences with a true exocet of a yorker, the writing was on the wall for Australia. Bradman's 62 proved to be the highest score in the match for the hosts, and half an hour before lunch on the fourth day it was all over. On a pitch whose bounce was now becoming erratic batting was proving increasingly difficult; Benaud survived a testing barrage from Garner and contributed 36 before flashing a simple catch to Dujon off Marshall, and once he was gone Ambrose knocked over the tail to finish with the excellent figures of 4-34 from 22 overs.

Australia were out for 234 had thus been defeated by an innings and 52 runs, and had been quite frankly outplayed in all areas of the game. Their team selection came in for severe criticism, and Richie Benaud did indeed look to have been brought back too soon into the cauldron of the MCG. His decision to put West Indies in totally backfired, and opposite number Garry Sobers chose this match to produce one of the best all-round displays seen in ATG cricket. The teams now head for Sydney tied at 1-1, and with the momentum well and truly with West Indies we could be in for a classic final Test.

Scores
WI 1st Inns 468 (Sobers 140*, Greenidge 69, Richards 63, Weekes 54, Lloyd 47; Davidson 4-120)
AUS 1st Inns 182 (Woodfull 50, Davidson 45; Sobers 6-46)
AUS 2nd Inns 234 (Bradman 62; Ambrose 4-34)

WEST INDIES WON BY AN INNINGS & 52 RUNS


Man of the Match: GStA Sobers

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Australia v West Indies - Third Test


Adelaide Oval

AUS: *WM Woodfull, AR Morris, DG Bradman, GS Chappell, SJ McCabe, AR Border, +IA Healy, AK Davidson, RR Lindwall, DK Lillee, WJ O'Reilly.
WI: CG Greenidge, DL Haynes, RB Kanhai, IVA Richards, CH Lloyd, *GStA Sobers, +PJL Dujon, MA Holding, J Garner, CEL Ambrose, LR Gibbs.

Debuts: Nil
Umpires: PJ McConnell & RC Bailhache

After scrapping doggedly for an unlikely draw in Perth, Australia entrusted the defence of their 1-0 series lead to an unchanged XI at the Adelaide Oval, whilst West Indies were forced to replace hamstring victim Malcolm Marshall with Michael Holding. Bill Woodfull won the toss, and on a ground where batsmen have prospered in ATG cricket - three triple hundreds have been scored at the Adelaide Oval, including one by Woodfull himself - he had no hesitation in electing to bat.

West Indies had the better of the first day though, reducing Australia to 223-7 by stumps, with only Stan McCabe (64) passing 50. Holding had bowled with hostility to claim four wickets on recall, including two in a devastating spell with the second new ball, but a spirited stand of 91 for the eighth wicket between Border and Lindwall on day two swung the pendulum back in Australia's favour, and after Border was out for 69 Lindwall added a further 53 runs with Lillee (25) for the ninth wicket before finally being caught in stunning fashion by Sobers in the slips for a career high 86.


Australia had totalled 367, a slightly disappointing score on a good batting wicket, but after a much improved showing with the bat in Perth, West Indies slipped back into their poor form of earlier in the tour and were skittled for 168 by early afternoon on the third day, saving the follow-on by just one run. Lindwall followed up his batting heroics by knocking over the first three wickets on his way to figures of 4-38 off 17 overs, and only four West Indians reached double figures, including nightwatchman Michael Holding, who biffed an entertaining 31.

Australia thus had plenty of time to set West Indies a daunting fourth innings target on a wicket likely to offer Bill O'Reilly some assistance, and led by Bradman's first century for five Tests they racked up a total of 302-4 before Woodfull declared shortly before tea on day four with a lead of 501. Bradman, who had passed 5000 career runs during his first innings 44, was not at his fluent best, taking 40 minutes to move from 95 to 100 and batting six hours in all for his undefeated 113, but with the support of Border's second fifty of the match he was able to oversee the addition of 152 unbeaten runs for the fifth wicket before Woodfull called time.


Thus far the match had followed an uncannily similar course to that of the second Test, but this time around it was West Indies that now faced the prospect of having to bat for over four sessions to save the game. There did not appear to be any gremlins in the wicket as of yet though, and anchored by Haynes' first fifty of the tour the tourists reached 98-1 half an hour before the close before two late strikes from Davidson and O'Reilly left West Indies 131-3 at stumps with a whole day's play remaining.

Lloyd fell early on the final morning, losing his leg stump to Lindwall for 18, and Garry Sobers now joined Viv Richards at the crease to begin a partnership that was surely West Indies' final hope of salvaging the match. Sobers played his natural game, and reached 28 exclusively in boundaries before Morris just failed to hold on to a difficult bat/pad chance off O'Reilly shortly before lunch, a moment that was to prove pivotal in the eventual outcome of the game. Sobers adopted a far more conservative approach from that point on, and with Richards also batting in admirably restrained fashion, Australia's bowlers began to struggle to make an impression.


Richards was put down by Lindwall on 68 in Lillee's second over with the second new ball, and that was the last chance to be offered until half an hour before stumps as West Indies' fifth wicket pair stamped their authority on the final day's play. O'Reilly wheeled through 44 overs, conceding just 84 runs in the process, but the fact that he could only snare two wickets was a disappointing statistic for the hosts. The second wicket was that of Richards, but by the time Chappell bagged a sharp catch at slip, Richards had amassed 129 runs over the course of six and a half hours at the crease, an innings that was in complete contrast to his contribution at the WACA but every bit as worthy. Sobers eventually finished undefeated on 89, an innings that spanned 259 balls and five and a half hours, and his partnership of 185 with Richards had saved the game for West Indies.

For the record, the tourists finished on 357-5, still the thick end of 150 away from the most unlikely of victories, but the manner in which Richards and Sobers had played the hosts' attack must give them confidence for the final two Tests. O'Reilly had been ineffectual on a wicket that should have offered him some assistance, Lillee had a game to forget after recording his first ATG five-for in Perth, racking up match figures of 1-159 off 41.4 overs here, and the fact that the hosts shelled six catches over the course of the match must be of concern. Nonetheless, Australia maintain their series lead going into the final two Tests, and the main talking point now will be whether skipper Richie Benaud will be fit to return at the MCG, and who he will replace if he is selected. All to play for in Melbourne then, and a West Indian victory there would set up the ultimate final Test showdown in Sydney.

Scores
AUS 1st Inns 367 (Lindwall 86, Border 69, McCabe 64, Woodfull 49, Bradman 44; Holding 4-75)
WI 1st Inns 168 (Richards 42; Lindwall 4-38)
AUS 2nd Inns 302-4 dec. (Bradman 113*, Border 68*)
WI 2nd Inns 357-5 (Richards 129, Sobers 89*, Haynes 52)

MATCH DRAWN


Man of the Match: IVA Richards

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Australia v West Indies - Second Test


The WACA Ground, Perth

AUS: *WM Woodfull, AR Morris, DG Bradman, GS Chappell, SJ McCabe, AR Border, +IA Healy, AK Davidson, RR Lindwall, DK Lillee, WJ O'Reilly.
WI: CG Greenidge, DL Haynes, RB Kanhai, IVA Richards, CH Lloyd, *GStA Sobers, +PJL Dujon, MD Marshall, J Garner, CEL Ambrose, LR Gibbs.

Debuts: Nil
Umpires: AR Crafter & RC Bailhache

With Bill Woodfull installed as captain in Richie Benaud's absence, the Australian XI travelled across country to Perth 1-0 up in the series, and they were able to include both Don Bradman and Dennis Lillee in the starting line-up after their recent injury lay-offs. West Indies called up Clive Lloyd to replace Everton Weekes (ankle), and it was Lloyd who dominated proceedings as the tourists' batting finally sparked into life over the course of the first two days.

Proceedings initially began well for Australia as Lindwall and Lillee reduced West Indies to 22-3 on a typically hard and fast wicket at the WACA, but Viv Richards led a bold counter attack that saw 172 runs added in the next two and a half hours. He raised his 50 by striking Bill O'Reilly for his fourth six, and was finally out for 96 when Allan Border held a good low catch at midwicket off Lillee. Richards hit ten fours and five sixes in all, and his cavalier approach was continued by Lloyd and Sobers throughout a rain shortened evening session on the first day and then into the second morning.



Sobers was eventually caught on the boundary for a hard hit 70, but Lloyd powered to his first ATG century, eventually racking up 140 before Lillee took out his middle stump shortly before lunch on day two. Lillee went on to complete what was incredibly his first ATG five wicket haul in his 29th Test, and the tourists' innings eventually closed on 400 shortly before tea on day two. Australia endured a tough evening session, losing Bradman caught behind for 41 when he gloved a rising delivery from Marshall and almost losing Chappell to a blow on the head from Garner, and it was only thanks to yet another gutsy knock from Allan Border and three dropped catches from West Indies that Australia eventually avoided the follow-on.

Border stood firm for an undefeated 96, having been dropped by Greenidge when on 48, and his seventh wicket partnership of 80 with Davidson (30) helped pushed Australia to a total of 291 and a deficit of 109. Garner took 4-50 on recall and Marshall bowled superbly for his 3-71, and as day three drew to a close it was now down to the West Indian batsmen to score quickly again in order to allow enough time to bowl out Australia on the final day.

And score quickly they did, racking up a total of 313-5 off just 76 overs before Sobers declared with a lead of 422 half an hour before tea on the fourth day. Haynes contributed 42 and Kanhai returned to some form with 66, but it was Richards, with an unbeaten 140 to go with his first innings 96, who dominated the innings, his runs coming from just 137 balls and including eleven fours and five sixes. He simply thrived on a track that still retained much of its pace, and although there were a few streaky shots between fifty and a hundred, it was a most dominating innings. O'Reilly eventually picked up three wickets but had been largely ineffectual after his successful return to the side in Brisbane, and Australia now faced the prospect of holding out for over four sessions in order to maintain their series lead.



Morris failed once again, and when Bradman was harshly adjudged caught behind off Ambrose by umpire Crafter for just 6, Australia were in deep trouble. By drinks on the final morning the innings had slid to 105-6 courtesy of Marshall and Ambrose, but first Test hero Stan McCabe was still there, and he wasn't going to give up without a fight. Alan Davidson became a willing ally, and the pair took Australia through to lunch without further loss, although Davidson should have departed almost immediately, surviving three huge shouts for caught behind off Marshall before he had scored, with only umpire Crafter knowing why he turned down the second of those appeals.

It was Lance Gibbs' turn to tie Davidson in knots after the break, but again umpire Crafter was unwilling to play ball, and when Dujon missed a clear stumping opportunity with Davidson on 22, one wondered whether it might just be Australia's day. McCabe stood unflustered through all the drama at the other end, and the pair somehow reached tea still unparted, much to West Indies' great consternation. The score was 168-6 at this stage, compiled over all of 89 overs, and the tourists now had a further 37 overs in which to pick up the four wickets they needed to level the series. The new ball came and went, and McCabe eventually crawled to the slowest 50 in ATG history after 359 minutes and 241 balls at the wicket.

Davidson finally departed with 25 overs left, bowled by Garner for 41, but his 76 run partnership with McCabe had lasted twelve minutes short of four hours, and with Lindwall hanging in for a further 90 minutes for 12, Australia were eventually able to pull off a miraculous escape. McCabe finished undefeated on 59 out of a total of 210-8, having batted for 478 minutes and 327 deliveries, and one of the most riveting Test matches of all had ended in a draw. It had been a game of contrasts, with West Indies posting their runs at a rate exceeding four an over before Australia's defensive marathon on the last day, and the teams will now reconvene in Adelaide with all still to play for over the second half of the series.

Scores
WI 1st Inns 400 (Lloyd 140, Richards 96, Sobers 70; Lillee 5-111)
AUS 1st Inns 291 (Border 96*, Chappell 44, Bradman 41; Garner 4-50)
WI 2nd Inns 313-5 dec. (Richards 140*, Kanhai 66, Haynes 42)
AUS 2nd Inns 210-8 (McCabe 59*, Woodfull 41, Davidson 41)

MATCH DRAWN


Man of the Match: IVA Richards & SJ McCabe

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Australia v West Indies - First Test


The Woolloongabba, Brisbane

AUS: WM Woodfull, AR Morris, SJ McCabe, GS Chappell, AR Border, *R Benaud, +IA Healy, AK Davidson, RR Lindwall, WJ O'Reilly, WA Johnston.
WI: CG Greenidge, DL Haynes, RB Kanhai, EdeC Weekes, IVA Richards, *GStA Sobers, +PJL Dujon, MD Marshall, CEL Ambrose, CEH Croft, LR Gibbs.

Debuts: Nil
Umpires: AR Crafter & PJ McConnell

The opening Test of this long-awaited series certainly lived up to expectations, with both sides combining to produce a match that left nails bitten and nerves jangled. Australia entered the game without Bradman and Lillee, both of whom were still recovering from the injuries they picked up in South Africa, but replacements Stan McCabe and Bill O'Reilly were at the centre of the action as ball dominated bat over the course of the first two innings.

West Indies won the toss and batted, but they were bowled out inside a day as O'Reilly ran through the lower order to claim 6-39 and thus become the first player to reach 200 ATG wickets. Only Richards, with a typically punishing 78, offered any resistance, and once he was gone the last five wickets melted away for just 13 runs to leave the tourists 193 all out.

West Indies struck back in fine style though, and by tea on day two Australia had been bundled out for 208, with Lance Gibbs emulating O'Reilly by claiming five wickets of his own. Had it not been for Stan McCabe then Australia's plight would have been far worse, and his maiden ATG hundred dominated an innings where the next highest score was Lindwall's unbeaten 27. If McCabe's five hour effort was the high point for Australia, the low point certainly came when new skipper Richie Benaud was forced to retire hurt with a broken middle finger on his right hand courtesy of Malcolm Marshall, and his reign as captain looks as though it will be a brief one, at least for the time being.

Nonetheless, Australia led by 15 runs at the halfway stage, and West Indies' second innings got off to the worst possible start when non-striker Des Haynes was run out without facing a ball when Greenidge called him through for an impossible single off Lindwall's very first delivery. Davidson's throw from mid on was unerring, and the tourists were eventually three down before their first innings deficit was erased. Weekes and Richards rallied with 54 and 34 respectively, but Weekes was hampered by an ankle injury and Richards was forced to retire on the second evening after receiving a nasty blow to the side of his head from a Lindwall bumper. He returned briefly on the third morning, but it was left to Dujon (67) to guide the score to respectability, and a 66 run seventh wicket partnership with Marshall helped take the total to 197, setting Australia a target of 183.

Having not even reached the tea interval on day three, time was never going to be a factor for the hosts, and stand-in captain Bill Woodfull set out his stall to play a typically obdurate and, hopefully for Australia, match-winning innings. At 51-3 and 107-4 the result could have still gone either way, but a dashing, undefeated 50 from Ian Healy gave Woodfull the support he needed, and he was able to stroke the winning boundary half an hour before lunch on day four to finish unbeaten on 81 and to put Australia 1-0 up in the series.

This had been a cathartic victory for Australia after their recent run of results, but a new captain is now needed for the second Test and possibly the remainder of the series; Bradman should be fit enough to play in Perth, but whether he will come back as skipper is a matter for renewed debate. West Indies were again on the receiving end of some poor umpiring decisions here in Brisbane, but just as in the warm-up game in Adelaide their batting was simply not up to the mark, and it needs to improve before the teams travel across country for the second Test at the WACA.

Scores
WI 1st Inns 193 (Richards 78; O'Reilly 6-39)
AUS 1st Inns 208 (McCabe 103; Gibbs 5-61)
WI 2nd Inns 197 (Dujon 67, Weekes 54)
AUS 2nd Inns 183-4 (Woodfull 81*, Healy 50*)

AUSTRALIA WON BY 6 WICKETS

Man of the Match: SJ McCabe

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Australia v West Indies - Tour Match

Cricket Australia Chairman's XI v West Indians
Adelaide Oval
4 Day Game
Umpires: CJ Egar & LP Rowan

Chairman's XI: W Bardsley, SG Barnes, *IM Chappell, AL Hassett, WW Armstrong, KD Walters, JM Gregory, +ATW Grout, MG Hughes, TM Alderman, H Ironmonger.
West Indians: CG Greenidge, DL Haynes, RB Kanhai, EdeC Weekes, CH Lloyd, *GStA Sobers, +PJL Dujon, MA Holding, WW Hall, J Garner, LR Gibbs.

West Indies' tour of Australia got off to the worst possible start as they crashed to an innings defeat inside three days against the Board Chairman's XI in Adelaide. The Board Chairman's XI, a team made up of players uncapped by Australia in ATG Tests, racked up an imposing 475-5 declared and then proceeded to bundle out the West Indians for 209 and 136 in less than 120 overs as the tourists paid the penalty for a very poor batting display.



The Australians scored at a rate exceeding four an over throughout their innings, with the foundations being laid by by Bardsley and Barnes' first wicket partnership of 169. The graceful Bardsley missed out on his hundred, but Barnes made no mistake, and capitalised on Hall's dropped catch when he was on 24 to the tune of 117 additional runs. The ebullient Barnes was joined on three figures by skipper Ian Chappell, who had himself been given a life on 29 when Dujon fumbled a straightforward stumping chance off Sobers, and Gibbs apart, not one of the tourists' bowlers managed to appear even remotely threatening. Warwick Armstrong rounded off the innings with a rollicking 93 and Chappell declared upon his dismissal, allowing his bowlers time to reduce the tourists to 157-5 by the close of the second day.

Jack Gregory completed his five wicket haul on the third morning to wrap up the West Indians' first innings, and once Chappell enforced the follow on it was spin that undid the tourists second time round as Ironmonger and Armstrong routed the Windies for just 136. Both bowlers were able to extract a considerable amount of turn from a dusting pitch, and one wonders whether their performance will influence the Test team's make-up ahead of the series opener in Brisbane.



For the tourists, only Rohan Kanhai passed 50 in either innings, and although he looked in good touch the same could not be said of most of his colleagues. Des Haynes was unlucky to be the victim of two very poor lbw decisions, and it must be said that the tourists were on the receiving end of a number of poor calls over the course of the match. However, this cannot mask the fact that the West Indians simply played some very average cricket here in Adelaide, and if things do not improve rapidly Australia will fancy their chances of avenging the blackwash with a resounding victory of their own.

Scores
Chairman's XI 1st Inns 475-5 dec. (Barnes 141, Chappell 130, Armstrong 93, Bardsley 84)
West Indians 1st Inns 209 (Kanhai 57, Dujon 45*; Gregory 5-70)
West Indians 2nd Inns 136 (Ironmonger 5-37)

CRICKET AUSTRALIA CHAIRMAN'S XI WON BY AN INNINGS & 130 RUNS

Monday, October 29, 2007

Australia v West Indies - Series Preview

At long last, West Indies' first ATG tour of Australia is upon us, and one can only hope that the cricket can live up to the hype and speculation that has been such a part of the build-up. The teams' previous confrontation in the Caribbean was a landmark series, but both sides have endured a period of mixed fortunes since then, especially Australia, whose number one ranking now hangs by a thread.



The biggest talking point since Australia's recent defeat in South Africa has been that of the captaincy, and it has been confirmed that Richie Benaud is to remain in the role that he inherited after Bradman's finger injury in Port Elizabeth. Benaud's appointment is for the duration of this series only though, at least in the first instance, so it will be a very testing time for Australia's new skipper in every sense of the word.

West Indies have also appointed a new captain in recent times, and Garry Sobers remains at the helm despite losing 2-1 in England. West Indies played some good cricket in the second half of that series, and the hope is that this form will be carried over to Australian soil. As expected, Messrs Greenidge and Haynes have been recalled to open the batting, Kanhai retains his spot at number three and there are recalls for both Joel Garner and Wes Hall to bolster the bowling attack. The tour starts with a 4 day game against a Chairman's XI in Adelaide, then the action moves to Brisbane for the first of five Tests.


The squad in full:
GStA Sobers (c), IVA Richards (v/c), CEL Ambrose, CEH Croft, PJL Dujon, J Garner, LR Gibbs, CG Greenidge, DL Haynes, WW Hall, MA Holding, RB Kanhai, CH Lloyd, MD Marshall, DL Murray, EdeC Weekes.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Tim's ATG Test Series Summary

So, a 3-2 series result in favour of the 1st XI justified Tim's selection, but the close margin of their victory was not a surprise bearing in mind the quality of the players on view. The major difference between the teams was undoubtedly Muttiah Muralitharan; his 43 wickets ensured that the 2nd XI exceeded 350 only once in the series, and the inability of the their batsmen to post big scores - no-one in the 2nd XI could average over 40 and they compiled only two individual centuries against seven by the Firsts - was telling in the end. Marshall and Imran ably supported Murali without ever being truly devastating, but Warne was largely disappointing, his performance in Mumbai apart. Ambrose was a nonentity, and such was the domination of Muralitharan that Sobers was given just 11 overs over the course of the entire series.




The 1st XI's batting was dominated by Bradman, Hutton and Hammond, with the Don's 241 at Lord's being one of the great innings of all time, even if it was in a losing cause. Sobers and Imran both made muted contributions with the bat, whilst Sutcliffe had a terrible time, with 172 of his 195 runs coming in just two innings. Gilchrist kept well but didn't really fire with the bat, although his brutal 80 in Barbados proved to be a stunning match-winning effort.




As for the 2nd XI, their lack of consistency cost them dear; there were moments of individual brilliance, especially with the ball, but their batsmen were rarely able to get on top of the 1st XI's bowling. The fact that Lara headed the averages with a return of just 38 runs per innings illustrated the problems encountered by the Seconds, and the failure of both Hobbs and Headley to make any impact on the series was a major disappointment. As much, if not more, of a disappointment was the lacklustre showing of Bill O'Reilly with the ball, especially considering the influence of Muralitharan, and after starting the series in such devastating form, Dennis Lillee faded from view over the course of the last three Tests.

All in all the 1st XI deserved their series victory, but had it not been for Muralitharan one wonders whether the outcome might have been different.

TIM'S 1st XI WON THE SERIES 3-2



Man of the Series: M Muralitharan

1st XI Batting & Fielding
DG Bradman 562 runs @ 70.25, 2 x 100, 3 x 50, HS 241; ct 3
L Hutton 420 runs @ 52.50, 2 x 100, HS 193; ct 2
WR Hammond 414 runs @ 51.75, 2 x 100, 2 x 50, HS 103; ct 5
GStA Sobers 244 runs @ 30.50, 2 x 50, HS 84; ct 6
Imran Khan 173 runs @ 28.83, 1 x 50, HS 79*; ct 3
H Sutcliffe 195 runs @ 24.38, 1 x 100, HS 125; ct 2
AC Gilchrist 195 runs @ 24.38, 1 x 50, HS 80; ct 9, st 3
M Muralitharan 34 runs @ 17.00, HS 14*; ct 3
SK Warne 74 runs @ 10.57, HS 24; ct 3
CEL Ambrose 56 runs @ 9.33, HS 16.00; ct 3
MD Marshall 74 runs @ 9.25, HS 22; ct 7

1st XI Bowling
M Muralitharan 43 wkts @ 14.07, 4 x 5I, 2 x 10M, BB 7-153
MD Marshall 20 wkts @ 18.30, BB 4-25
Imran Khan 12 wkts @ 24.75, BB 4-18
SK Warne 18 wkts @ 35.94, 2 x 5I, BB 7-76
CEL Ambrose 5 wkts @ 63.80, BB 1-25

2nd XI Batting & Fielding
BC Lara 386 runs @ 38.60, 4 x 50, HS 98; ct 2
RG Pollock 343 runs @ 38.11, 1 x 100, 1 x 50, HS 136*; ct 7
SM Gavaskar 326 runs @ 32.60, 1 x 100, 1 x 50, HS 153; ct 5
JB Hobbs 274 runs @ 27.40, 2 x 50, HS 71; ct 1
GA Headley 247 runs @ 24.70, 1 x 50, HS 96; ct 2
LEG Ames 197 runs @ 21.89, 1 x 50, HS 70; ct 11
KR Miller 206 runs @ 20.60, 1 x 50, HS 69; ct 5
AK Davidson 120 runs @ 15.00, HS 35*; ct 5
DK Lillee 65 runs @ 13.00, HS 27*; ct 1
RJ Hadlee 119 runs @ 11.90, HS 38; ct 3
WJ O'Reilly 28 runs @ 4.00, HS 8

2nd XI Bowling
DK Lillee 19 wkts @ 25.42, 2 x 5I, BB 6-27
RJ Hadlee 21 wkts @ 27.43, 1 x 5I, BB 5-87
AK Davidson 14 wkts @ 29.93, 1 x 5I, BB 5-89
WJ O'Reilly 12 wkts @ 40.50, BB 4-180
KR Miller 9 wkts @ 41.22, BB 3-16

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